High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure greater than 140 mmHg and/or diastolic pressure greater than 90 mmHg. You are considered
prehypertensive
if your systolic blood pressure is between 120-139 mmHg, or your diastolic pressure is between 80- 89 mmHg. Your doctor will recommend monitoring and lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure puts stress on the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels. Over time, this condition can damage these organs and tissues.

Symptoms

High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. But, the condition can still damage your organs and tissues.

Occasionally, if blood pressure reaches extreme levels, you may have the following:

Headache

Blurry or double vision

Abdominal pain

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

Dizziness

Diagnosis

High blood pressure is often diagnosed during a doctor's visit.
Blood pressure
is measured using an arm cuff and a special device. If your reading is high, you'll come back for repeat checks. If you have three visits with readings over 140/90 mmHG, you will be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Your doctor will order
tests to make sure your high blood pressure is not caused by another condition. You will also be tested to see if the high blood pressure has cause any problems.

Tests include:

Blood tests

Urine tests

Chest x-rays
—a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, follow your doctor's
instructions
.

Prevention

To help reduce your risk of getting high blood pressure, take the following steps:

Eat a well-balanced diet. The
DASH diet
—rich in fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods, and low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol—may help keep your blood pressure in the healthy range.

Exercise regularly.

Maintain a healthy weight. (Your
body mass index
should be below 25.)

If you smoke,
quit
.

Drink alcohol in moderation. Moderate is two or fewer drinks per day for men and one or fewer drinks per day for women and older adults.

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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.